New Delhi: Union Minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, on Sunday launched Campus Tank Punjab, an initiative organised by Chandigarh University in collaboration with India’s largest early talent hiring platform, Apna, and leading early-stage investment firm Venture Catalysts (VCats). The programme aims to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem by providing a one-stop solution for innovators below 30 years of age to access seed funding and investments, supported by a dedicated pool of US$ 6 million.
Speaking at the event, Khattar said, “Campus Tank is a big achievement not just in India but globally, because youngsters often face problems in starting ventures due to lack of support. Prime Minister Narendra Modi understood this challenge and gave a strong push to entrepreneurship through schemes like Mudra. Still, many youngsters don’t get the right opportunities. Campus Tank will help fill this gap by benefiting students across 23,000 AICTE-affiliated institutions. Already 19,000 student startups have registered, and US$ 6 million funding will be available for 300 shortlisted ventures.”
Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs, and Power, Manohar Lal Khattar joining Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu and other University Officials during a launch of India’s Biggest University-Led Startup Launchpad ‘Campus Tank Punjab’ at Chandigarh University Gharuan Campus
He added, “New ideas can come to anyone—Newton discovered gravity under a tree. Sky is the limit for startups, and even small beginnings can lead to global giants, as seen with Amazon, Google and Facebook. Startups not only generate employment for their founders but also for thousands of others, turning today’s job seekers into tomorrow’s job creators. With PM Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, startups will play a key role in making India the third-largest economy.”
Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu echoed the sentiment, noting that India’s startup base has grown from just 400 in 2014 to over 1.76 lakh in 2025, including 119 unicorns. He underlined the government’s support through a Rs 10,000 crore Fund of Funds for Startups, with commitments to 141 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs). “Our aim is to scale India’s unicorns to 1,000 by 2035 and 5,000 eventually. Startups must also drive tech autonomy in areas like AI, cybersecurity, deeptech, defense and pharma,” Sandhu said.
Chandigarh University’s role was also highlighted, with over 150 student-led startups so far and its Technology Business Incubator (CU-TBI) ranked number one in patent filings in 2023–24.
Other speakers, including Dr Prabhleen Singh of the Young Progressive Sikh Forum, Vansh Oberoi of Venture Catalysts and Preet Deep Singh of Apna, stressed the importance of nurturing entrepreneurial spirit and unconventional ideas to drive India’s growth story.